You go looking for stones

Stones

When you go looking for stones
on a beach made fast by cold
within the gaze of grumbling waves
all stones are special on this day

the stones lie in stupid chaos
like thoughts and feelings
rising and turning inside you
and you step amongst them

hoping to shake off the steady
the rhythmic pace of walking your days
to focus for a second on surprise
that the stone has "beauty" written on it

but sometimes it doesn't say "beauty"
it says "be patient" it says "been there"
it says "balance" it says "bad luck"
sometimes the stone you pick up

must be thrown into the sea
as you throw
your face
is held by the wind
not the need to find stones

and as the stone is taken in
by the orchestra of water playing waves
you see the stone says " beauty
is in the hand of the holder"

and the splash is momentary
like a kiss or a laugh
or a slight embrace
when playing stupid stupid bowling

sometimes the stones live
in your pocket for a while
see the poem
"I'm stones in her pocket"
for a guide